What is cupping?

Cupping is an ancient healing therapy that some people use to ease pain. A provider places cups on your back, stomach, arms, legs or other parts of your body. Inside the cup, a vacuum or suction force pulls skin upward.

Cupping is a form of traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine. People have practiced cupping therapy for thousands of years.

Suction from cupping draws fluid into the treated area. This suction force expands and breaks open tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. Your body treats the cupping area like an injury. It sends more blood to the area to stimulate the natural healing process. Some people theorize that cupping clears the pores and releases toxins.

What is the working principal of silicone cups?

Traditionally, therapists use fire to remove oxygen from the cup to create suction, but when you use silicone cups for massage, you just need to squeeze the cups to create vacuum and the amount of vacuum is controlled by yourself by varying the compression of the cups. After squeeze, the suction of the cups can pull up your skin and tissues. Unlike manual tissue massage, which presses down on the tissue, silicone cups pull up the tissue without pain

What does cupping treat?

People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain. Some people say it also helps with chronic (ongoing) health issues. Cupping may ease symptoms of:

• Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.

• Back pain, neck pain, knee pain and shoulder pain.

• Breathing problems, such as asthma.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel disease (IBD).

• Headaches and migraines.

• High blood pressure (hypertension).

How is cupping performed?

There are different ways to perform cupping. The steps vary slightly depending on the chosen method. Your provider will leave the cups in place for several minutes. Some treatments involve briefly moving the cups to stretch and massage the area.

Who shouldn’t get cupping?

Because researchers know little about cupping’s effects on pregnancy, moms-to-be shouldn’t get the therapy. You should also forego cupping if you have:

• Bleeding disorders like hemophilia.

• Blood clotting problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or history of strokes.

• Skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.

• Seizures (epilepsy).